You can see the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, the Elgin Marbles at the British Museum, and Michelangelo’s statue of David in Florence.

If you travel a little further, you can take in some of the impressive treasures found in Tutankhamen’s tomb at the Egyptian Museum.

But, at Ripley’s Believe It Or Not in the heart of the West End, you can marvel at a 27in hairball retrieved from a cow’s stomach, a tow-headed lamb and a copy of the Last Supper on a grain of
rice.

Throw in an upside down tea party and the world’s tallest man, and it is safe to say that the attraction offers a fairly different take on the usual museum experience.

Home to 700 peculiar and fun exhibits over five floors, it offers an intriguing journey of wonder for the whole family.

The attraction in Piccadilly Circus is open seven days a week, 365 days a year, from 10am to midnight, with last entry at 10.30pm.

Artefacts from all over the world representing the places and cultures visited by cartoonist Robert Ripley – the man who coined the phrase Believe It Or Not - during his travels are on display.

Some are behind glass, but there is plenty of opportunity for interaction for those that like to touch, play and see how things work.

Take, for example, the water exhibit where you can roll up your sleeves and plunge your hands in to feel the temperatures experienced by those on the Titanic on the fateful night it sank.

Then there is the mirror maze where you will find yourself touching strangers and muttering swear words under your breath as you try to find your way out.

Other exhibits include a large chunk of the Berlin Wall, a Mini Cooper encrusted with 1,000,000 swarovski crystals, a Mars meteorite and a four-metre long model of Tower Bridge made of matchsticks.

If you are looking for a day out with plenty of “ooos”, “ahhhs”, and “ewws”, then this is your place – but, if you have squeamish or sensitive children, it might be worth avoiding the dungeon
section.

Each attraction appeals to man's basic curiosity and desire to know more about the world and at times you will be left scratching your head as to whether they are having you on or if what you are
looking at is so strange it is actually true.

You will most probably walk away from the attraction and wonder what on earth you have just experienced, and that is the beauty of it – truth is stranger than fiction.

This Easter, visitors can take part in Russian Roul-egg – an Easter-themed version of Russian roulette to win free entry on Easter Sunday.

Visitors are challenged to pick an egg at random and smash it over their head - anyone lucky enough to survive by finding a cooked egg will win a free ticket to the attraction.

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not; The London Pavillion, 1 Piccadilly Circus; Adults £26.95; Children aged four to 15 £24.95; Family £87.95; ripleyslondon.com; 020 3238 0022.